IIya Sorokin enjoying a real preseason and is steady in Islanders' goal
Ilya Sorokin of the Islanders brushes aside a shot as Yegor Sharangovich of the Devils looks for the rebound during the second period in a preseason game at the Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard on Saturday in Bridgeport, Conn. Credit: Getty Images/Bruce Bennett
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — Ilya Sorokin is expected to open the regular season as the Islanders’ top goalie with Semyon Varlamov still recovering from nagging soreness that has kept him off the ice in training camp.
"For me, it’s the same," Sorokin said after stopping all 11 shots he faced in the first two periods of Saturday’s 2-1 overtime loss to the Devils at Webster Bank Arena.
But what is different for Sorokin is having a preseason at all. That was not the case prior to last season, Sorokin’s first in the NHL.
"It’s interesting because last season was unusual, a short preseason and no preseason games," said Sorokin, who went 13-6-3 with a 2.17 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage as a rookie. "I’m really happy with this full season, 82 games and a full preseason."
Sorokin has yet to allow a preseason goal after stopping all 13 shots he faced in 32:44 of the Islanders’ 4-0 win over the Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Sept. 26.
The Devils rarely applied pressure on Sorokin.
"Not too much work for me," Sorokin said.
There’ll certainly be more once the regular season begins, especially if Varlamov is not ready. Coach Barry Trotz said he continues to see the progress Sorokin is making after five seasons as a KHL all-star.
"Guys throw pucks from different areas than they do in the KHL," Trotz said. "The small ice makes it a lot more chaotic, a lot more congested."
Isles files
Trotz said the next round of training camp roster cuts could come "in the next few days," possibly as soon as Monday…Kyle Palmieri had the secondary assist on Kieffer Bellows’ first-period goal…Zach Parise had one shot in his preseason debut but was on ice for both Devils’ goals…The attendance was 4,101 for the first of three Islanders’ preseason home games in Bridgeport. They host the Flyers on Tuesday night.
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
More Islanders
